Well 1 whole year has passed since I restarted this blog documenting the construction of my NYC themed layout. Looking back over the past year, one could say that little was accomplished as I still do not have an operating layout, and still have not completed construction on the attic space. While true, it really does not paint the full picture.
In the past year the walls were framed, insulated, dry wall hung and current status places the attic space at about 50% complete and all of that was completed in about a six month period of time. This summer has been unprecedented in heat and lack of rain in the Southern Fingerlakes of NY. As a result, most days the temperature in the attic made it impossible to complete any work, let alone even go in the attic for more than 10 mins at a time.
The weather has broken a bit in the past week and I was able to get right back to applying joint compound to the walls, installing ceiling joists and a few other construction activities. In the month of September, I am setting a goal to get the ceiling in place and finish the insulation. That should enable me to work in a comfortable setting through the winter months. I very much hope that by Christmas I will have some benchwork completed and be able to run some trains.
So while the past few months did not permit much work to be done in the attic, it did allow for plenty of reading, and adding to my locomotive and rolling stock collection. I have recently been able to purchase a Proto 2000 Alco PA-1 on eBay, and a Walthers Mainline SW-1 from my local train shop that is currently closing after 20 years. The prices on both were excellent. I will need to custom paint the SW-1, so look for several blog posts on that subject as I am toying with the idea of doing a series of video's for that project.
I was also able to recently revive a Proto 2000 E8, painted in the Cigar Band scheme. It is missing a drive shaft, but I have a contact at Walthers who is searching the bins for an extra. We shall see what he turns up!
The long awaited Atlas, Alco RS-3's also appeared. I had ordered two numbers but only one arrived. This model is equipped with ESU LokSound and is highly impressive. An upcoming video will be posted of this model.
On the workbench is a dozen or so DCC installs for my friend Greg and 3 older Atlas, Alco RS-3's awaiting lettering. Can you tell that Alco road switchers are my favorite?
Add to all of this a half dozen or so new boxcars, hoppers, pig flats and passenger cars and you have a good idea of how I was keeping active in the hobby. Stay tuned... the weather is changing!
